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Justice News

Lincoln Man Convicted of Methamphetamine Charges

United States Attorney Joseph P. Kelly announced that on April 19, 2018, Rodney P. Mazzulla, 57, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was convicted by a federal jury of three charges involving the distribution of pure methamphetamine. Mazzulla was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine between 2013 and April of 2017. He was also convicted of two counts of possession with intent to distribute actual (pure) methamphetamine. The trial began in federal court in Lincoln on Monday, April 16, 2018, before United States District Judge John M. Gerrard. The jury received the case on Thursday afternoon and deliberated for a total of approximately five hours before returning their verdict on Friday morning.

On April 2, 2017, a search warrant was executed at a large storage garage in southwest Lincoln. Mazzulla was found to be living in a camper inside the garage. Officers found at least 49 grams of pure methamphetamine, a loaded 9mm pistol, a digital scale, and packaging materials in the camper. A second firearm was found elsewhere in the garage. On April 22, 2017, a second search warrant was executed at the same storage building. Mazzulla was again found inside. At that time, officers found at least 210 grams of pure methamphetamine hidden under the hood of a van parked in the garage. Witnesses testified about Mazzulla’s involvement in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Lincoln area prior to the April, 2017, searches. In addition, evidence was presented regarding a contact made by Lincoln officers with Mazzulla in July of 2015 in which he was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine. At that time, Mazzulla told officers he had been selling methamphetamine since 2013 and that he had sold one to two ounces per week over the prior year.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 13, 2018. Mazzulla faces a possible sentence of not less than 10 years nor more than life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.